Hypothyroid Medicines of Shame

I included this image just to show how one drug solves nothing and generally leads to more. So it is with medications that are really hypothyroidism.

I spend a lot of time on health groups. These pages are for both professionals and lay people. Each has a different purpose. The professional groups are places were we can share solutions for issues we are having with patients and clients. It’s impossible to know about everything so these are great resources. The patient – to – patient pages are places where the general public shares information about remedies that have worked for them for the various health concerns they have. But they both have one thing in common. What is it?

A lack of knowledge of true thyroid disorder symptoms.

I guess it is because I have spent so many years trying to save my life and to better the lives of my children who are both hypothyroid, that I can spot thyroid issues with lightening speed. It makes me so sad to see so many suffering needlessly when thyroid conditions – if caught early – are relatively easy to address. That is why I decided to write this quick help post. The following are some simple steps that can help you to recognize a thyroid condition and then what things can help to bring your thyroid back into a healthy state.

Nutrition:Iodine, Selenium, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Iron / Ferritin and Omega 3 Fatty Acids. All of these nutrients are critical in proper thyroid hormone creation. If any of these are low, the body may have a more difficult time creating hormones.

Depression / Anxiety – Many hypothyroid people are on anti-depressant drugs.

ADD / ADHD – This is a big issue with children as they do not know how to express their issues with adults so we drug them with SSRI drugs instead.

High Cholesterol- A struggling thyroid draws off of the adrenals for backup. This will cause an increase in cholesterol to compensate for increased demands.

Sleep Apnea – Increased weight from low metabolic rate from low thyroid can be part of the cause of this condition.

Diabetes - blood sugar imbalances can be a sign of hormone imbalances

Chronic Fatigue – As the thyroid draws off of the adrenals they eventually cannot keep up and then there is no more in reserve so fatigue sets in.

Fibromyalgia -This is considered as a garbage can diagnosis. When everything hurts and massive fatigue sets in. Low thyroid and iodine levels have been implicated in this condition.

The biggest issue I hear is that many cannot find a good doctor to work with. It is a problem. So many are tied to the almighty TSH test and if you are in the range they claim all is fine. But that is a horrible test and will miss most cases of hypothyroidism. Here are some things you can do on your own to get help.

Once you have your lab test results you will want to have your doctor look at them – if they are willing. Most people feel best with Free T4 midrange and the Free T3 in the upper 1/3 of the range. If you have thyroid antibodies then additional steps need to be taken. Please refer to the Guide to Supplementing with Iodine available for download Free here. Autoimmune thyroid conditions are closely tied to halide toxicity and low iodine and selenium levels. The guide will help you to navigate the issues. For further support please join my Facebook group called “IODINE” .

I recently recorded a webinar presentation on using essential oil products to support your endocrine glands. You can view this presentation by visiting this page.

Not All Thyroid Medications Are Alike

Once you are diagnosed with a thyroid condition your doctor may want to prescribe a thyroid medication for you. You need to be aware of the kinds and what the issues with them are.

Synthetic – these come in T4 only or T3 only forms. These drugs tend to be ineffective and many suffer symptoms of hypothyroidism even when labs look normal.

Synthroid – synthetic T4 only hormone

Levoxyl – synthetic T4 only hormone (generic)

Cytomel – synthetic T3 only hormone

Desiccated Thyroid – This thyroid medication is derived from a dried pig thyroid gland. It is the full spectrum of hormones that your normal thyroid creates – T1, T2, T3, T4 and Calcitonen. This medication works very well – especially for those without a thyroid.

Armour Thyroid – This has historically been “the” desiccated thyroid but in 2009 it was reformulated and then many reported an issue with it. We do not know to this date what happened to it so I recommend it with caution.

Nature-throid – This is a product made by RLC Labs. It is the product that I have taken successfully since 2009.

Compounded Thyroid – Be careful of this one. It can be synthetic or desiccated so you will need to ask what you are getting.

Having the proper thyroid medication can mean the difference between fatigue, weight gain, aching joints, brain fog …. or not.

The information in this blog is in no way all encompassing. I wrote this in hopes that before you take the drugs for diabetes, high cholesterol, anxiety or chronic pain that you look at other options and that option could be a low thyroid. I know because I have suffered from most of the items on the list of health conditions and all melted away when my thyroid levels were restored and my adrenals healed.

2 thoughts on “Hypothyroid Medicines of Shame”

Having had a total thyroidectomy in 2010, I am on WP Thyroid (would love your opinion on that) and take 1 1/2 grains three times per day. Weight loss, of course for me, is a HUGE issue. Just can’t seem to shed those pounds no matter what! Anyway, what exact doses would you recommend for me of Iodine, Selenium, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Iron / Ferritin and Omega 3 Fatty Acids. thanks for your help. You can just tell me average dosages, or what you yourself take would be helpful as well. Thank you!